Rediscovery of swamp deer Rucervus duvaucelii (G. cuvier, 1823) in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand state of India

Swamp deer R. d. duvaucelii with its lighter coat, un-palmate antlers and larger hoof known to occur in the soft swampy ground of Himalayan foothills encompassing the forests of Terai Arc Landscape. Mostly, isolated population of Swamp deer reported from the state of Uttar Pradesh state of India and in the recent past scattered population reported from the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand state. Available literature shows distribution of swamp deer from various pockets of Kumaon region of Uttarakhand but in the present time its existence was doubtful due to lack of evidence or a direct sighting. Advances in scientific based techniques and tools for the monitoring of elusive and cryptic wild species provides an opportunity to document rarely seen and occurring in low abundance species. The reappearance of swamp deer based on a by-catch of camera traps from the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand is reported here.